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SIMPLIFY SENIOR RELOCATION
Helping Older Adults Move: Expert Tips to Simplify the Transition
Moving an older adult from a beloved home can feel overwhelming, emotional, and stressful—but it doesn’t have to be. With the right approach, compassion, and professional guidance, this major life transition can become manageable and even uplifting.
Dawn Spaulding, founder and CEO of Hither Hive, specializes in professional organizing and move management services in New York City, with a focus on assisting older adults through downsizing and relocation. Her key strategy? “Keep your eyes on the future, not the past.”
How a Professional Move Manager Simplifies Senior Relocation
Moving after decades in the same home is challenging. Spaulding recommends hiring a professional move manager who coordinates everything:
- Organizing, cataloguing, and packing
- Selecting trusted movers and vendors (estate dealers, cleaners, art appraisers)
- Planning the new home’s layout
- Managing unpacking and organizing for a comfortable, fresh start
Spaulding reassures her clients by clearly communicating: “We’ll take care of it. Don’t worry.”
Common Scenarios Where a Move Manager Helps Seniors
Spaulding and her team frequently assist older adults who:
- Downsize from larger homes into smaller apartments or full-service communities.
- Move into assisted living or memory care, selecting cherished belongings to provide comfort in a smaller space.
- Prepare homes for aging-in-place, creating organized, safe, and accessible environments.
In each case, the goal is always to minimize stress and preserve what matters most to the individual.
The Best Time to Hire a Move Manager
“The earlier, the better,” advises Spaulding. Early engagement allows clients ample time to process the emotional aspect of moving, decide what items to bring along, and efficiently organize donations or sales.
However, urgent relocations due to sudden health changes or unexpected availability in assisted living communities are also manageable. Experienced move managers like Spaulding can act quickly to facilitate swift transitions.
Professional Organizing and Cataloguing Services Explained
Organization doesn’t end with the move itself. Spaulding highlights ongoing services, including:
- Complete home organization (closets, pantries, laundry rooms, storage areas)
- Detailed cataloguing of personal property (art collections, heirlooms, vintage items) for estate planning, insurance, or asset management
- Digital inventory creation (photos, dimensions, and provenance documentation) shared securely with family or designated parties
This meticulous approach provides peace of mind and efficiency during estate disbursements, sales, or transitions.
Leveraging Technology for Efficiency and Clarity
Spaulding emphasizes using technology like shared drives (Dropbox, Google Drive) and detailed digital inventories. Clients and families benefit from real-time progress tracking, clear communication, and transparent coordination. Spaulding notes, “Technology ensures we always know what’s going where, and our clients have confidence in the process.”
The Most Important Step in Downsizing
Listening is key, Spaulding stresses. Families should prioritize the emotional comfort and wishes of their older loved ones throughout the downsizing process. Rather than focusing solely on reducing clutter, families should thoughtfully select sentimental items and provide emotional support through practices such as photographing cherished items that cannot be moved.
Building Rapport: Trust and Respect
Spaulding establishes trust by consistently involving clients in decisions, offering options, and regularly seeking approval. “Our clients appreciate feeling empowered and respected. Trust is the foundation of our service.”
Ready to Simplify Your Move?
Are you or someone you love preparing for a move? Contact Hither Hive to learn how Dawn Spaulding and her team can offer personalized support to make your relocation stress-free and seamless.
